The International Monetary Fund once again says that India is a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy global backdrop. The January update to the IMF's World Economic Outlook shows that India's economic growth is projected to slow next year to 6.1 percent from 6.8 percent in the current scenario.

IMF Bullish on India: India and China's recovery to help global economy

Chennai is all set to host the first G20 Education Working Group meeting on February 1 and 2 and as a precursor, a seminar on the ‘Role of Digital Technology in Education’ - a unique initiative under India’s Presidency, was held at the IIT Madras Research Park. K.S. Murthy, Union education secretary, G20 speaks to WION on this.

Exclusive: K.S. Murthy, Union education secretary, G20 India speaks to WION

With 2 days left for India's Union Budget 2023, Railway passengers have shared their expectations forward. Here we list 5 of them, compiled from experts and media reports.

Expectations from the Railway Budget

Ahead of this year's India's budget announcement, we thought of taking you through some interesting, lesser-known facts about the Union Budget. Watch this video to know more.

Lesser-known facts about Union Budget

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman will be presenting the Union Budget 2023 on February 1. We list out some expectations of the taxpayers based on expert opinions and people's voices.

Taxpayers' expectations from the Union Budget

India remembered Mahatma Gandhi on his 75th death anniversary on Monday with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi offering floral tributes to the 'Father of the Nation' at his memorial Raj Ghat. The country also observed Martyrs' Day or Shaheed Diwas and paid tribute to all the freedom fighters.

Indian Prime Minister Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 75th death anniversary

Indian men's hockey team chief coach Graham Reid on Monday resigned from his position following the host nation's disastrous outing at the just-concluded World Cup.

WION Sports: Indian men's head hockey coach Graham Reid resigns after World Cup

French cyclist travels 8,000 km to spread the message of preventing soil erosion. The French cyclist started her ride on June 21, the same day when Indian yoga personality Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev completed his three-month motorcycle journey from Coimbatore after covering 27 countries for his 'Save Soil' movement.

WION Climate Tracker: French woman cycles to India to spread awareness on soil erosion

India's Kashmir is covered in a blanket of fresh snow. The region experienced heavy snowfall leading to road closures, delayed flights and cancelled trains. Watch this report to know more.

WION Climate Tracker: Kashmir covered in blanket of fresh snow

India's main opposition Congress party leader and MP Rahul Gandhi has reached the end of 4,000km long ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ or unity march.&nbsp;

The march, which started in the southern state of Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari, continued for five-months. Across the nation, the march attracted large crowds and various celebrities were also seen joining the walk. &nbsp;

However, the analysts say that they are not sure if the march will translate into votes. Gandhi stated that the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ was aimed at bringing Indians together against fear and hatred that is being spread in the society.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-partys-ex-president-sonia-gandhi-admitted-to-delhi-hospital-following-respiratory-infection-549434">Congress party's ex-president Sonia Gandhi admitted to Delhi hospital following respiratory infection</a>

Political analysts stated that the march was aimed at reviving the beleaguered Congress party’s flagging spirits which has been facing continuous defeats since 2014, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in India.&nbsp;

The march ended on Monday afternoon with a rally in a stadium in Srinagar. Gandhi along with other Congress leaders attended the rally. Some leaders of opposition parties were also present in a show of unity.&nbsp;

Speaking at the rally, Gandhi said that the local administration had warned him against walking on the roads as there were fears of a grenade being hurled at him.&nbsp;

The Congress leader stated that he insisted to travel on foot "my family and (Mahatma) Gandhi taught me to live fearlessly, otherwise, that is not living".

WATCH | Rahul gandhi hits out at Modi govt in his speech at Berkeley

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Gandhi appreciated the "wholehearted love" he received from the state where he spent the march’s last leg. Speaking at a press conference in Srinagar, the Congress MP on Sunday said that he had received a "great response" from the whole country.

"The yatra's purpose is also that people of this country get to hear the&nbsp;true voice of the country. We saw the resilience and strength of the people of India during this journey. We also got to hear about the issues being faced by farmers and unemployed youth in the country," he stated.&nbsp; &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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India's main opposition Congress party leader and MP Rahul Gandhi has reached the end of 4,000km long ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ or unity march. The march, which started in the southern state of Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari, continued for five-months.

India's main opposition Congress party leader and MP Rahul Gandhi has reached the end of 4,000km long ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ or unity march. The march, which started in the southern state of Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari, continued for five-months. Across the nation, the march attracted large crowds and various celebrities were also seen joining the walk. However, the analysts say that they are not sure if the march will translate into votes. Gandhi stated that the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ was aimed at bringing Indians together against fear and hatred that is being spread in the society. ALSO READ | Congress party's ex-president Sonia Gandhi admitted to Delhi hospital following respiratory infection Political analysts stated that the march was aimed at reviving the beleaguered Congress party’s flagging spirits which has been facing continuous defeats since 2014, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in India. The march ended on Monday afternoon with a rally in a stadium in Srinagar. Gandhi along with other Congress leaders attended the rally. Some leaders of opposition parties were also present in a show of unity. Speaking at the rally, Gandhi said that the local administration had warned him against walking on the roads as there were fears of a grenade being hurled at him. The Congress leader stated that he insisted to travel on foot "my family and (Mahatma) Gandhi taught me to live fearlessly, otherwise, that is not living". WATCH | Rahul gandhi hits out at Modi govt in his speech at Berkeley Gandhi appreciated the "wholehearted love" he received from the state where he spent the march’s last leg. Speaking at a press conference in Srinagar, the Congress MP on Sunday said that he had received a "great response" from the whole country. "The yatra's purpose is also that people of this country get to hear the true voice of the country. We saw the resilience and strength of the people of India during this journey. We also got to hear about the issues being faced by farmers and unemployed youth in the country," he stated. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India: Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ culminates in Kashmir

India has invited tenders to develop a mega trans-shipment port in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The $5 billion-project will be a shot in the arm for India's commercial and security operations in Indo-Pacific Molly Gambhir explains.

Gravitas: India is building a mega trans-shipment port

India celebrates its 74th Republic Day on Thursday. India's military might and women's empowerment took the centerstage in the grand parade. Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: What was new in this Republic Day??

Africa has signed a deal to transfer more than a hundred cheetahs to India. The deal is part of an ambitious project to reintroduce these spotted cats in India. The South African environment ministry says an initial batch of 12 cheetahs would be flown to India next month.

Gravitas Global Headline: South African Cheetahs to roam in India soon

"India is the world's largest democracy and we Indians are also proud of the fact that our country is also the mother of democracy, which is in our culture. For centuries, it has been an integral part of our daily lives. By nature we are a democratic society," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his first Mann Ki Baat of 2023.

97th edition of Mann Ki Baat: In first talk of 2023, PM Modi says 'India is mother of democracy'

Odisha Health Minister Naba Kisore Das was shot by an assistant sub-inspector in Jharsuguda district. He was on his way to attend a programme. Watch further to know more.

India's Odisha state Health Minister Naba Das shot by a cop

Amid rain lashing the national capital, military bands enthrall audience at ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony at Vijay Chowk in Delhi. Watch further to know more.

India: President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi present for beating retreat 2023

Amid rain lashing the national capital, Military bands enthrall audience at ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony at Vijay Chowk in Delhi. Watch further to know more.

Military bands enthrall audience at ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony in Delhi

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who faced off against Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) party president, Mohamed Nasheed, won the presidential primary elections with a landslide victory. Solih received around 61 per cent of the total votes cast, according to local media outlets.&nbsp;&nbsp;Solih's campaign team celebrated his victory in the elections. Foreign Affairs Minister Abdulla Shahid said the victory represents a resounding affirmation of the president's progressive policies and inclusive leadership. President Solih told the media after casting his ballot that there had been no instances of vote-rigging in party&nbsp;internal elections.

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Chairman of the Election Committee Ibrahim Waheed told Maldives public broadcaster PSM News that the results of all the ballot boxes have now been received and the voting process was closely monitored.

Despite Mohamed Nasheed opposing Solih's candidature within his own party, the latter has said he would compete for a second term. Solih had entered the contest in the party primary elections, which took place on January 28. The two faced off and Solih won by a wide margin. Now, this year's Maldives presidential election will take place on September 9 with a potential runoff on September 30.&nbsp;

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Solih during his campaign had said that working with other parties would give the MDP a future in Maldivian politics. In order to keep the MDP in power, he has often said that he will establish a coalition with other parties. He refers to this alliance as the "winning formula." Solih's win on Saturday ensures him the presidential ticket of the biggest political party in the Maldives.

In the Maldives, this is the first time a sitting president has run for office in a party primary. Solih is the seventh president of the Republic of Maldives. 60-year-old Solih took office in 2018 for a five-year term. He'll run in the September election for the position of president.

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<h2>What do the upcoming Maldives elections mean for India?&nbsp;</h2>

Since 2018, when Abdulla Yameen, Maldives' president from 2013 to 2018, lost to Solih, relations between India and the Maldives have significantly improved. Yameen had influenced Maldives' foreign policy in favour of China. During the last year, Yameen's Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has reportedly waged an anti-India campaign. It claimed&nbsp;that the MDP administration has allowed Indian forces to be stationed on Maldivian land.

After being found guilty of money laundering and bribery late last year, Yameen is currently serving an 11-year jail term. This jail term prevents him from running for office. However, his Progressive Congress Coalition is seeking to develop a legal argument for a higher court to exonerate him.&nbsp;

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Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who faced off against Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) party president, Mohamed Nasheed, won the presidential primary elections with a landslide victory.

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who faced off against Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) party president, Mohamed Nasheed, won the presidential primary elections with a landslide victory. Solih received around 61 per cent of the total votes cast, according to local media outlets. Solih's campaign team celebrated his victory in the elections. Foreign Affairs Minister Abdulla Shahid said the victory represents a resounding affirmation of the president's progressive policies and inclusive leadership. President Solih told the media after casting his ballot that there had been no instances of vote-rigging in party internal elections. Also Read | Taliban ban Afghan girls from taking university entrance exams Chairman of the Election Committee Ibrahim Waheed told Maldives public broadcaster PSM News that the results of all the ballot boxes have now been received and the voting process was closely monitored. Despite Mohamed Nasheed opposing Solih's candidature within his own party, the latter has said he would compete for a second term. Solih had entered the contest in the party primary elections, which took place on January 28. The two faced off and Solih won by a wide margin. Now, this year's Maldives presidential election will take place on September 9 with a potential runoff on September 30. Also Read | Memphis police to ‘permanently deactivate’ its SCORPION unit whose officers fatally beat Tyre Nichols Solih during his campaign had said that working with other parties would give the MDP a future in Maldivian politics. In order to keep the MDP in power, he has often said that he will establish a coalition with other parties. He refers to this alliance as the "winning formula." Solih's win on Saturday ensures him the presidential ticket of the biggest political party in the Maldives. In the Maldives, this is the first time a sitting president has run for office in a party primary. Solih is the seventh president of the Republic of Maldives. 60-year-old Solih took office in 2018 for a five-year term. He'll run in the September election for the position of president. Watch | Zombie Fungus: Fungal pandemic can turn humans into zombies? What do the upcoming Maldives elections mean for India? Since 2018, when Abdulla Yameen, Maldives' president from 2013 to 2018, lost to Solih, relations between India and the Maldives have significantly improved. Yameen had influenced Maldives' foreign policy in favour of China. During the last year, Yameen's Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has reportedly waged an anti-India campaign. It claimed that the MDP administration has allowed Indian forces to be stationed on Maldivian land. After being found guilty of money laundering and bribery late last year, Yameen is currently serving an 11-year jail term. This jail term prevents him from running for office. However, his Progressive Congress Coalition is seeking to develop a legal argument for a higher court to exonerate him. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Maldives President Solih wins high-stakes MDP primary with wide margin

In Madhya Pradesh, two Indian Air Force planes crashed; one of the pilots was hurt. According to reports from the agencies, two planes crashed on Saturday morning in Madhya Pradesh in what appears to be a mid-air collision. Near Morena, Madhya Pradesh, a Sukhoi-30 and a Mirage 2000 aircraft collided.

Two Indian Air Force jets crash near Morena in Madhya Pradesh

Two Indian Airforce jets crashed in Madhya Pradesh's Morena early this morning, where one pilot has lost his life and other two have been rescued. According to reports from the agencies, two planes - a Sukhoi-30 and a Mirage 2000 - crashed on Saturday morning in Madhya Pradesh in what appears to be a mid-air collision.

Indian Air Force Jet Crash | IAF: Two pilots rescued, one pilot sustained fatal injuries

Indian Air Force Jet Crash | IAF: Inquiry has been ordered to probe the cause of the accident

Indian Air Force jet crash: One pilot dead, two rescued; inquiry ordered to probe cause of accident

BREAKING: Air Force jets Sukhoi, Mirage crash in Madhya Pradesh; pilots receive minor injuries

Reflecting India's focus on "Atmanirbhar Bharat", the 74th Republic Day featured ‘Made-in-India' weapons systems. How has India displayed its military prowess during the parade over the decades? Watch this report.

WION Wideangle | India's Republic Day: Military milestones

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